Limousine/Taxi Service:

Local transportation services are available from various regional airports. The costs of these services vary to/from The Option Institute. Please confirm the rate with the limousine/taxi service. Extra charges for waiting time may apply due to late flight delays, etc. Prices do not include gratuity.Savings tip: travel in a group! When booking your limousines/taxis, ask to travel with another participant arriving around the same time to save money.

Transportation by Train

From Most Locations: Amtrak

There is a daily Amtrak train, the Lake Shore Limited, which travels from locations such as Boston MA, Albany NY and Springfield MA to Pittsfield, MA. The Option Institute is 33 miles via local taxi from Pittsfield.Amtrak 1.800.872.7245 or 1.413.785-4230www.amtrak.com

From New York City: Commuter Train

From Grand Central Station, take the Metro North Train to Wassaic, NY
Metro North Train
800.METRO.INFO or 1.212.532.4900
$13.25 (off peak hours) or $17.75 (peak hours)

From Wassaic to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. Lakeville Taxi is the least expensive option.Lakeville Taxi
19 Railroad Street, Salisbury, CT 06068
860.435.8000

From JFK/La Guardia Airports, New York City, NY:

From the airport, take a bus or taxi to Grand Central Station in Manhattan, 42nd Street.
New York Airport Service Bus
718.875.8200

From Grand Central Station, take the Metro North Train to Wassaic, NY
Metro North Train
800.METRO.INFO or 1.212.532.4900
$13.25 (off peak hours) or $17.75 (peak hours)

From Wassaic to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. Lakeville Taxi is the least expensive option.Lakeville Taxi
19 Railroad Street, Salisbury, CT 06068
860.435.8000

From Newark Airport, Newark, NJ:

From the airport, take a bus or taxi to Grand Central Station in Manhattan, 42nd Street.
Olympia Airport Express
877.894.9155

From Grand Central Station, take the Metro North Train to Wassaic, NY
Metro North Train
800.METRO.INFO or 1.212.532.4900
$13.25 (off peak hours) or $17.75 (peak hours)

From Wassaic to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. Lakeville Taxi is the least expensive option.Lakeville Taxi
19 Railroad Street, Salisbury, CT 06068
860.435.8000

Transportation by Bus

From JFK/La Guardia Airports, New York City, NY:

From the airport, take a bus or taxi to New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan.
New York Airport Service Bus
718.875.8200

From New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, take the bus to Sheffield, MA.
Bonanza Bus Lines
800.556.3815

From Sheffield, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. AA Transportation and Taxico are the least expensive options.AA Transportation
605 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
508.791.9100Taxico
974 Main, Great Barrington, MA 01230
1.413.528.0911

From Newark Airport, Newark, NJ:

From the airport, take a bus or taxi to New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan.
Olympia Airport Express
877.894.9155

From New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, take the bus to Sheffield, MA.
Bonanza Bus Lines
800.556.3815

From Sheffield, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. AA Transportation and Taxico are the least expensive options.AA Transportation
605 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
508.791.9100Taxico
974 Main, Great Barrington, MA 01230
1.413.528.0911

From New York Port Authority Bus Terminal:

From New York Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, take the bus to Sheffield, MA.
Bonanza Bus Lines
800.556.3815

From Sheffield, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. AA Transportation and Taxico are the least expensive options.AA Transportation
605 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545
508.791.9100Taxico
974 Main, Great Barrington, MA 01230
1.413.528.0911

From Boston, MA:

Arrive at South Station, 700 Atlantic Ave in downtown Boston, and take a bus to Springfield, with a connection to Lee, MA.
Peter Pan Bus Lines
800.237.8747
Springfield Bus Terminal
1.413.781.2900

From Lee, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. Park Taxi is the least expensive option.Park Taxi Service
235 Water Street, Lee, MA
413.243.0020

From Logan International Airport, Boston, MA:

From Logan International Airport to South Station, take the shuttle marked, “South Station” (averages $6.00). If you need assistance, inquire at the transportation/ information desk at the airport baggage claim area.

From South Station, 700 Atlantic Ave in downtown Boston, take a bus to Springfield, with a connection to Lee, MA.
Peter Pan Bus Lines
800.237.8747
Springfield Bus Terminal
1.413.781.2900

From Lee, MA to The Option Institute, call one of the limousine/taxi services in advance and make reservations. Park Taxi is the least expensive option.Park Taxi Service
235 Water Street, Lee, MA
413.243.0020

Parking

Parking lots are provided with enough parking spaces for everyone in your program. Please do not park your car in any other location on the property other than the parking lots. If you find problems with parking, please let the Participant Support Representative know (in the dining hall, during lunch) and they will take care of any special circumstances.

Emergencies

During office hours, please obtain assistance from our staff in the main office. They can also be reached by calling 413-229-2100 or 1-800-714-2779. If you need to be reached during a family emergency, family members may call the main office during office hours and a message will be delivered to you based upon the urgency of the situation. For an after office hours emergency or guesthouse problem, please obtain assistance from Kelly in the Arbor House. She can be reached on her emergency pager 413-290-5297 or on her toll free emergency pager 888-325-8797. Please leave a message including your name, location, and the nature of your emergency or specific problem.

Local Towns

In Connecticut

Which is out the driveway and to the right (Route 41 South) — are the towns of Salisbury and (a little farther) Lakeville. You will find a Laundromat in Lakeville and a grocery store in Salisbury. Both towns have a variety of small shops and restaurants. There is also a post office, a pharmacy, and a bank with an ATM in Salisbury.

In Massachusetts

Which is out the driveway and to the left (Route 41 North). About 4 miles down the road, turn right onto Berkshire School Road. At the end of Berkshire School Road turn left onto Route 7 North. This will take you into the town of Sheffield. About 6 miles up the road is Great Barrington. The closest shops are in Sheffield where there is a small market, post office and gas station. In Great Barrington, you will find several Laundromats, a movie theater, two shopping centers, and many other shops and services as well as banks. Check the bulletin board on the participant side of the Mountain House for a detailed list of “Area Services”. A copy of this is also available in the Main Office.

What To Bring With You

Clothing:As you are packing, please plan for the unpredictable nature of New England weather. We typically have a warm humid Summer, crisp cool Autumn, freezing snowy Winter, and cool rainy Spring. Please check the Berkshire Mountain area weather forecast before packing.

Informal, loose-fitting clothing that you would be comfortable wearing for gentle stretching exercises or sitting on the floor

Shoes that slip on and off easily. We remove shoes inside the buildings and shoes that don’t require a lot of effort to put on or take off such as sandals, moccasins, or loafers are best. You may also want to bring indoor slippers to wear inside the buildings (optional).

Walking shoes and comfortable study clothes for outdoor activities, as well as hiking boots if you wish to go hiking during your stay.

Hooded rain jacket/poncho and umbrella (all seasons)

Boots in Winter/Spring: We get lots of snow, ice and mud, so bring footwear that is waterproof and prevents slipping on ice

Warm outerwear from Oct – April: you will do a good deal of walking between buildings, so be prepared with warm jackets, gloves, hat, etc.

Bathing suit (summer)

“Dressy” clothes should you wish to visit area cultural events & restaurants in the evenings

Toiletries (including soap)

Alarm clock

Journal / notebook and pen

A water bottle for drinking water in class, or while walking around property